A Funny Boss (1964) User Reviews (3)

black-and-white crime caper from France

[myriamlenys · 6/10 · 30 August 2018]

Two burglars are long-time partners in crime. When they're breaking into an apartment in order to crack a safe, they cross paths with a self-confident blonde who sticks to them like white on rice. The young lady sees herself as a valuable addition to the team, although she still has some way to go in the criminal mastermind department...

The comedy seems to come with multiple titles : I saw it when it was titled "A mouse among men". It's not a bad movie : De Funès is in great, irascible shape and the plot comes with some nice twists, one-liners and gags. For instance, there's a magnificent scene where the two burglars, mistaken for legitimate guests, meet with a superbly hospitable hostess. The hostess is something of an amateur biologist, meaning that both men are forced to watch a mind-blowingly boring movie about the mating habits of beetles. Meanwhile the comment grows lyrical : "Now the male beetle will sing ! Hark ! He sings ! Listen to that enchanting song, to that irresistable love poem !"

Sadly for all concerned, the story took a very strange turn somewhere around the 5/6th mark, with a new development which seemed to come out of thin air. Some other weird developments followed and by the end most narrative logic was gone : I would not have been surprised to watch Hannibal and his war elephants trekking through Paris. I can only suppose that the novel the movie was based on (and which I've never read) was better at connecting the dots.

So do watch the movie, but be prepared for some unexpected and illogical developments near the end.

Funes's histrionics are unparalleled in this thief movie

[Apollo15AnnoPianoCatDogSnailAnt · 6/10 · 30 October 2020]

This is a great fun flick in a mammoth comedian's understanding of comedy. Just the middle when the other partner decides to split is outta nowhere but they reunite thankfully and a particular great part is the night mansion they are herded by the girl thief to rob is kinda spooky with the whole environment. I check this under the title "A Mouse with the Men." He does the first Troops and Fantomas this year and annihilates with all.

Twist & Turn in Black & White

[yan-3 · 8/10 · 5 January 2006]

Marcel (De Funes) and Francis (Biraud) are busy people. Marcel owns a café and spend all his nights running from meetings to meetings with members from the high society... at least, that's what he say to his barman! Francis leaves his home, loving wife and adorable daughter, frequently to attend meetings and demonstration with customers. His boss trusts him so much that his agenda is always full... at least, that's what he say to his wife! In fact, Marcel and Francis' incomes come from their night job: thieves! Here at least, they are professional. Troubles arise when, during one robbery, they encounter a young, high-pitched voice, candid girl who takes the decision to become their associate in crime... for the fun! From this point, the movie becomes a series of twists and turns, where characters meet and meet again, where associations are dissociated to be reformed later. This movie is not a Hollywood blockbuster but it is fun to watch. De Funes was not at the peak of his fame at that time and his playing was consequently not too exacerbated (as he did in his later movies). The play of Maurice Biraud is of great quality and several famous guest stars (Maurice Pieplu or Jean Lefevre) contribute to make this movie an entertaining act. A good standard for French cinema lovers, a little pearl for the De Funes lovers (who have only seen his blockbuster movies).